Destinations
Where to go on your first trip to China — city guides with the must-sees, how to get around, payment tips, and a driver-ready Chinese address.
Start with the classics. Each city page has the highlights, transport hubs, payment notes, and a copy-ready address to show your taxi driver.
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Beijing Travel Guide for First-Timers (2026)
North China · 3–4 days
Beijing is China's capital and best first stop — the Forbidden City, Great Wall, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, and hutong alleys, with easy metro and Alipay payments.
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Chengdu Travel Guide: Pandas, Hotpot & Tea (2026)
Southwest China · 2–3 days
Chengdu is Sichuan's laid-back capital — giant pandas, fiery Sichuan hotpot and teahouse culture, with easy metro, Alipay payments, and day trips to Leshan and Dujiangyan.
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Guilin Travel Guide: Karst, Rivers & Rice Terraces (2026)
South China (Guangxi) · 2–3 days
Guilin and Yangshuo in Guangxi offer China's most famous landscape — misty karst peaks, the Li River cruise, and Yulong bamboo rafts, best explored by bike and e-bike.
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Shanghai Travel Guide for First-Timers (2026)
East China · 2–3 days
Shanghai blends 1920s art-deco elegance with a sci-fi Pudong skyline — the Bund, French Concession, soup dumplings, and easy metro, plus card-free Alipay payments.
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Xi'an Travel Guide: Terracotta Army & City Wall (2026)
Northwest China · 2 days
Xi'an is China's ancient capital and Silk Road start — the Terracotta Army, a bikeable city wall, Muslim Quarter food, and easy metro, with Alipay payments everywhere.
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First-timer route: Beijing → Xi'an → Chengdu → Guilin → Shanghai is a classic 10–14 day loop by high-speed rail. See High-Speed Rail.